Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | TV | December 14, 2025
Cold Open — Trump answers questions from the press on Air Force One, but mostly objectifies his press secretary, calls Kaitlin Collins a witch, rambles about the affordability hoax, talks about the weird bruises on the back of his hand, and objectifies Karoline Leavitt again. Oh, and blows up Santa and the reindeer. My issue with James Austin Johnson’s Trump impression this year is that he talks too fast … Trump’s speech has slowed this term, and now there’s a slurry, drunken tinge to it. (Score: 5 out of 10)
Josh O’Connor Monologue — I know next to nothing about O’Connor outside of his work. He’s a charming, self-deprecating “soft boy” and very British. And spends part of the monologue not pitching himself as the lead in a live-action Ratatouille . He’d be very good. (Score: 6 out of 10)
Let’s Find Love — I have begun to notice a pattern that, if an episode starts with a game show, it’s probably not going to be very good. Let’s hope they break the pattern here, though it’s not off to a great start with this dating show, despite Ashley Padilla’s attempt to create an aggressive, fast-talking 84-year-old potential love match in a medical scooter. (Watch Here) (Score: 4 out of 10)
Uber Eats Wrapped — There’s a year-end wrapped list that absolutely no one wants. Short but amusing. (Score: 6 out of 10)
Teaching Hospital — A Bowen Yang character (that we’ve seen before) and an intern played by Josh O’Connor give blood results to a patient. This one goes absolutely nowhere, unless you want to see Yang and O’Connor kiss. (Watch Here) (Score: 3.5 out of 10)
Bachelorette Party Strippers — A bachelorette party calls in strippers they found in a Sally Rooney book club who are overly-sensitive soft boys who wear cardigans and have Zohran tattoos. This one is pretty good. I’ll note, too, that if you’re wondering if Ashley Padilla has taken over SNL (she’s been in every sketch, so far), LateNighter reports that she crossed her 100th sketch in record time, although it’s Jane Wickline who owns this sketch. (Score: 6.5 out of 10)
Weekend Update — The political jokes portion of this weekend’s “Update” are mid. Marcello Hernandez does a charmingly amusing segment on holidays with his family, with an excellent bit on Home Alone. The back half of jokes are also … mid. But Jane Wickline salvages “Update” with a song about the greatest threat to humanity, which is not AI. It’s the kids from Stranger Things. Bravo! (Score: 6.5 out of 10)
The Wizard of Oz Deleted Footage — There are very unconfirmed rumors that Bowen Yang may be leaving after the Christmas episode. He’s great, but it might be time to hand it over to the younger cast. The featured players have mostly been the best part of this season so far. Anyway, Bowen plays the Wizard, and instead of courage, the Lion wants a … big ole thang. I didn’t love this one, but Mat probably will because he’s sick and maybe a little delirious, ergo this is the Mat sketch of the week. (Score: 5.5 out of 10)
Brad and His Dad — The cartoon makes a reappearance with a Christmas iteration of a divorced Dad awkwardly hanging out with his son while they cut down a Xmas tree. I wish it were better! (Watch Here) (Score: 4 out of 10)
College Class — I was right about the game show foreshadowing a weak episode. Here, Bowen plays a 12-year-old in a college class whose mom keeps interrupting to bring him things he forgot. It’s not great. Also, Josh O’Connor is the host, but you’d barely know it. He’s been sidelined in the episode. (Watch Here) (Score: 3 out of 10)
Variety’s Characters on Characters — It’s like the interviews between actors and actors or directors and directors, except they’re interviews between Christmas characters. It’s a good idea … in theory. (Score: 4.5 out of 10)
Brunch — Characters at brunch sing asides about their various annoyances, including Lily Allen. The sketch is not great (watch here), but I will link to Lily Allen’s two performances because they were intense, more so when you know they’re about David Harbour (also, Dakota Johnson appears in the second). (Score: 4 out of 10)
Verdict — The writers have no idea what to do with Josh O’Connor, Ashley Padilla has taken over the show, Bowen may be on his way out, and I hope that next week’s last episode of the year is much better because it’s been a underwhelming season, so far, despite some bright moments with the newer cast membeers (except for Kalebe Patterson, who has gone mostly unused this season, so far).
